Multiple winding device



June 7, 1932. A. H. COLE MULTIPLE WINDING DEVICE Filed April 30, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 7, 1932. A. H. COLE 1,862,333

MULTIPLE WINDING DEVICE Filed April 30, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 V W. J m ig l M l 4 M l I I 7 Patented June 7, 1932 UNITED STATES ALBERT H. COLE, oi cinoaoo,- ILLINOIS,

ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

THE MUTER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS MULTIPLE WINDING DEVICE Application filed April 80,

stantially flat base by novel means.

Electrical resistance units at present largely used in the radio industry are formed by the use of a strip or base member of non-metallic, insulating material of rather narrow cross section over which is wound a length of resistance wire. The base is wound at present by inserting it within the live center or head of a lathe, drawing it through the lathe head and applying the wire thereto while the strip is being rotated. It has been found from experience that it is impossible to accurately and efiicie'ntly wind strips of this description of a length greater than approximately 9 inches at eflicient operating speed. If the wire is attempted to be wound on a base of greater length it becomes necessary to reduce the speed of the lathe to prevent the wobbling of the wound base members at the center. The wobbling of the base or strip is objectionable for the reason that, even if the strip is wound close to the live head, the wobbling causes uneven longitudinal movement of the strip therethrough, thus causing an uneven and unsatisfactory Wire spacing. Obviously the greater the distance between the supported ends of the base, the greater is the tendency of the base to rotate out of a perpendicular axis at the center. Therefore it has been found extremely impractical and unsatisfactory to cfliciently wind bases of this character having a greater length than 9 inches. I

It is an object of my invention to provide means whereby either one or a plurality of windings, of lengths up to 9 inches may be wound on a single base of any desired length up to the length of the lathe bed itself, thus greatly increasing the efiiciency of the machine.

A further object of my invention is to provide a suitable tensioning device for the resistance wire applied to the base. In the use of a base 'of substantially rectangular cross section such as contemplated herein, which is caused to rotate by a live center of 1931. Serial No. 533,941.

head the resistance wire applied thereon is drawn from the spool at irregular speeds tending to break the wire unless the tension is properly distributed, and also has a tendency to stretch the wire and cause electrical in accuracies in any given length of that wire. To overcome this objection, I have devised a simple tensioning device comprising a plurality of rollers disposed at the ends of flat steel springs over which the wire is adapted to pass, and the tension thereon to be ad ustably distributed.

A further object of my invention is to provide an adjustable braking means on the wire spool to prevent an excess of wire from being unrolled by reason of the uneven withdrawals therefrom. The spool having considerable relative weight, if the wire is permited to develop a slack, there is danger of breaking it when the slack was taken up by the Winder. This is avoided by eliminating any slack in the wire and insuring an even pull on the spool at all times, by means of the braking means of my invention.

A further object is to provide a plurality of split bearings through which the base is adapted to be drawn during the process of applying the wire to the base. These bearings are adapted to serve as supports for the strip to be wound at one or more points between its ends, to prevent the wobbling of a relatively long strip, and are adjustably disposed on the bed of the lathe. When the several sections of the base are wound to their full length, it would be relatively simple to remove the wound base from the apparatus by a longitudinal pull through the supporting bearings. However, this is found to be unwise because of the danger of breaking or otherwise damaging the wire wound thereover. I have therefore devised a novel split bearing support which can be opened when desired, to permit the removal of the base vertically rather than longitudinally.

It will be obvious from a further study of the following specification and drawings that the main advantage of the apparatus herein disclosed lies in the flexibility thereof, permitting the winding of any length of base at one operation with any number of kinds of ill resistance wires at a relatively high speed by providin split bearing supports at intervals in t e len of the base. The bearing members as we asthe wire spools feedin a particular section are adjustable longitu 1- nally to provide for any desired length of se arate windings.

invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a lathe of common form provided with the apparatus of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a to plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a si e elevation of one of the wire tensioning devices;

Fig. 4 1s a plan view partly in section of the end clamp;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the wire tensioning devices and the split bearing member;

Fi 6 is a verticalsectional view of the split aring member;

Fi 7 is a side elevation of the spool rack showing the braking means, and

Fig. 8 is an end elevation thereof.

By reference to the drawings it will be seen that I have provided alathe 10, of conventional construction having a head stock, or live center 11, adapted for rotation through which a base or strip to be wound may be inserted and rotated, and a travelling carriage 12 adapted to operate in the usual manner by adjustment of the wheel 13 and the lever 14.

As best shown in Fig. 5, a plurality of split bearing members generally designated by 15 are bolted to the lathe bed 16 by means of the bolt 17 and washer 18. Attached to the bearing members 15 is an angularly disposed arm 19 carrying a plurality of wire tensioning devices 20. The tension devices comprise a strip of spring material 21 secured to the member 19 and having a grooved rollor 22,- disposed at the ends thereof. The spring 21 is adjustable as to its degree of tension by means of the thumb screw 23 and the nut 24 against the bracket 19a. The tension device for the forward end of the device adj acent to the tool head being preferably stationary is not supported from a bearing member such as 15, but is supported directly on the lathe bed, and is of similar construction to the tension devices heretofore described. As best shown in Fig. 5, I have provided guide members 25, 26 attached to the ends of the member 19 to insure the straight passage of the wire both to and from the tensioning device.

As to the construction of the split bearing member, best shown inFigs. 5 and 6, I have provided a semi-circular member 27 pivoted at 28. The member 27 and the split face plate 29 are adapted to retain the rotatable split bearing member 30 composed of two duplicate halves, having a slot 32 therein of any desired shape adapted to carry the base member passed therethrough. The bearin mem:

ber 30 has on its periphery a plura ity of ward to permit the removal or insertion of the strip. In order to permit this movement without the danger of the upper half of the member 30 rolling out, I have provided a pin 33 carried by the member 27 adapted to be received in a registering aperture in the member 30, which when pushed inil prevents such rotation. As best shown in 1g. 5 the pin 33 is operatively connected to the catch 33a, so that upon rotation of the catch 33a to open the bearing member, the pin 33 will be pushed in, and will be withdrawn on closing, to insure the removal of the pin, thus preventing damage to the member when the device is started.

The base member when originally inserted in the device is'substantially in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and when the device is put in operation it is intended to move the base or strip longitudinally to constantly present a new surface for application of the resistance wire. The base is pulled longitudinally through the slots 32 in the split bearings as well as a similar slot in the tool head 11, by means of the device shown best in Fig. 4. This device comprises substantially the shaft 34 supported within the bearings 35 on the bracket 36 fastened to the carriage 12. The forward end of the member 34 is provided with a slot 37 corresponding to the cross section of the base to be treated and also the member 34 is-slotted longitudinally to receive the pivoted clamp member 38 having a sharp point at its free end adapted to grasp the base inserted in the aperture 37. After the base is anchored by the member 38, the ring 39 is moved forward to maintain the position of the clamp 38. Obviously upon the longitudinal movement of the carriage 12, the clamp member will pull the base member through the head stock and various split bearing members until the desired lengths, have been wound on the base. This distance may be predetermined in the usual manner by adjustment of the carriage.

The feed rolls or spools 40 are supported on a spindle 41 within the bearings 42. Be-

bearing members, I have provided a base 47 provided with a pair of parallel slotted tracks 48, 49 on which the feed apparatus on the separate bases 50 are adapted to be ad ustably secured. Inasmuch as the feed apparatus at the forward end of the device is preferably not movable, it is firmly positioned on the base 47.

Obviously by the use of the above described apparatus it is possible to apply several independent lengths or size of wire to a base member of any desired cross section or length in the same operation. If a round or square base is to be wound, the slotted openings 32 in the various head stock and bearing members must be changed to accommodate the new base.

It is understood that considerable variation may be made in the apparatus herein disclosed, by those skilled in the. trade. Although the term lathe is used herein, apparatus is contemplated having a hollow rotatable live center or head, a bed and a moving carriage, the speed and distance of travel of which may be controlled in the usual manner. The dead center, or tail stock on the common lathe is substituted by the clamp which is not secured to the lathe bed, but to the carriage. The wire supplyin means is conventional for the purpose inten ed, and I do not wish to be limited in any particular above described, except as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for simultaneously winding a plurality of lengths of resistance wire on a common base of relatively flexible construction, comprising, in combination, a bed, a driven head having means for rotating and permitting longitudinal sliding movement of the base, a carriage on the bed having means for gripping an extremity of said base and permitting rotation thereof and for causing longitudinal travel of the base in timed relation to its rotation, means for supporting said base between its ends with capacity for rotation at points in spaced relation corresponding to the desired length of the windings on said base, and means for supplying the wire to be wound.

2. In a multiple winding device, the combination of a lathe having a bed, a carriage, a driven, rotatable head stock and a tail stock, means in said head stock adapted to receive an elongated strip intended as a base member to receive wire to be wound thereon, said head stock providing means for positively rotating said strip and permitting said strip to slide longitudinally therein, means on said tail stock for gripping the opposite end of said strip and drawing it longitudinally away from said head stock, a plurality of strip bearing members fixed to the bed and arranged to support said strip with capacity for rotation and longitudinal movement, means for supporting spools of wire adjacent base clamp being ada ted to pull said base longitudinally throug a predetermined distance, and means for supplying wire to said base between each bearing member.

4. A device adapted to permit simultaneous winding of wire upon several sections of a base member having a support between each such section, which comprises in combination, a driven lathe having a movable head stock and carriage thereon, a plurality of bearing members adjustably fixed to the bed of said lathe, adapted to support a strip to be wound, said strip being slidably supported between its ends by said bearing members, a clamp at one end of said lathe and fixed to said carriage, said clamp being adapted to pull said strip longitudinally through said head stock and bearing members, and means for simultaneously supplying wire to each section of said strip to be wound.

5. A device adapted to permit simultaneous winding of several wires upon a single base member, which comprises in combination, a driven lathe having a movable carriage thereon, a plurality of sectional bearing members adjustably fixed to the bed of said lathe, said bearing members being formed to permit the upper half section thereof to be rotated away from the lower half on a pivot, said bearing members adapted to slidably support a strip between its ends, a clamp at one end of said lathe and fixed to said carriage, said clamp being adapted to pull said strip longitudinally through said bearing members, and means for supplying wire simultaneously to each section of said strip to be wound.

6. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a winding device such as a lathe, having a rotatable head, a tail stock and a moving carriage thereon, a plurality of split bearing members adjustably fixed to the bed of said lathe between the ends thereof and adapted to support a strip to be wound, slidably disposed between said head and tail stock, said tail stock being adapted to clamp the end of said strip and to withdraw the same longitudinally through said head stock and bearing members, and means for simultaneously supplying wire to said strip between each of said supports, whereby said strip is wound in independent sections.

I eing initially disposed within the head stock,

and the balance thereof being slidably disposed between said head and tail stock, said tail stock being adapted to clamp the end of said strip and to withdraw the same longitudinally through said head stock and bearing members, and independent means for simultaneously supplying wire to said strip between each of said supports, whereby said strip is wound in inde 'endent sections.

8. In a multiple win ingdevice,'the combination of a lathe having a bed, a carriage, a driven, rotatable head stock and a tail stock, means in said head stock adapted to retain an elongated strip in slidable engagement therein, said head stock providing means for positively rotatin said strip and permitting said strip to slide longitudinally therein, rotatable means on said tail stock adapted to grip said strip and to Withdraw the same from said head stock, a plurality of strip bearing members fixed to the bed and arranged to support said strip with capacity for rotation and longitudinal movement, means for supporting spools of wire adjacent to said strip and for delivering wire to be wound on said strip simultaneously at different points in its length.

9. A device of the class described compris ing, in combination, winding device such as a lathe, having a rotatable head, a tail stock and a moving carriage, a plurality of equidistant split .bearing members adjustably fixed to the bed of said lathe between the ends thereof and adapted to support a strip to be wound, a portion thereof being initially disposed within the head stock, and the balance thereof being slidably disposed between said head and tail stock, said tail stock being adapted to clamp the end of said strip and to withdraw the same longitudinally through said head stock and bearing members, and independent means comprising a constantly braked wire spool for simultaneously supplying wire to said strip between each of said supports, whereby said strip is wound in independent sections.

10. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a winding device such as a lathe, having a rotatable head, a tail stock and a moving. carriage, a plurality of equidistant split bearing members fidIllStably fixed to the bed of said lathe between the ends thereof and adapted to support a strip to be wound, a portion thereof being initially disposed within the head stock, and the balance thereof being slidably disposed supplying wire to said stri between each of said supports, whereby sai strip is wound in independent sections.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

" ALBERT H. COLE. 

